Was Moses Chosen by God to Lead the Exodus?

" "

The question of whether God chose Moses to lead the Exodus out of Egypt is a profound one. Historically, the story of Moses is deeply intertwined with the experiences of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose lives spanned over four centuries before Moses was born. By the time Moses was born, the Hebrew nation was in dire straits. Let's delve into the circumstances and qualities that led to Moses being chosen by God for this monumental task.

" "

The Context of Slavery in Egypt

" "

Contrary to common belief, the Israelites were not enslaved during the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, after Joseph's death, the Hyksos seized control of Egypt and initiated the enslavement of the Israelites. Approximately 350 years later, Moses was born and eventually chosen to free them. Thus, the enslavement of the Israelites by the Egyptians is a pivotal event that sets the stage for Moses' chosen leadership.

" "

Moses' Speech Impediment and Early Miracles

" "

Much has been debated about Moses' speech impediment, often misconstrued as a stutter or lisp. In reality, Moses had a hard time pronouncing certain Hebrew letters, such as bet, vet, vav, mem, peh, and pheh. This difficulty stemmed from the fact that Moses' lips had been injured as a child, an incident detailed in Midrashic lore. In the story, Moses followed a stray lamb to a water source, demonstrating his caring nature and compassion. It was through this act that God recognized Moses' suitability to lead the chosen people.

" "

Qualities of a Leader

" "

God's choice of Moses was not based on curative power or supernatural abilities alone. Moses was characterized by his honesty, humility, and care for fairness. There are several instances in the Bible that highlight these qualities. For instance, Moses demonstrated his concern for justice by killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Jewish slave. Additionally, Moses was recognized as one of the most humble people, suggesting a true purity of heart.

" "

God's Foreordained Role and Divine Providence

" "

The narrative of Moses' early life leads to the conclusion that he was chosen by God from the womb. In a miraculous sequence of events, Moses' parents hid him to escape the Egyptian decree of killing Hebrew baby boys. They then placed him in a waterproof cradle to be adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. Miriam, Moses' sister, arranged for Moses to be brought up by his mother until he was weaned, after which he was sent to live in Pharaoh's palace. Moses, educated and living a life of luxury, eventually left the palace to confront the injustices of slavery. Here, it was God who began to shape Moses' leadership qualities and destiny.

" "

Leadership and Divine Confluence

" "

Moses' future as a leader was sealed through his actions and God's guidance. Despite having learned leadership from Egyptian training, it was God who further refined his skills. As Moses grew and interacted with other leaders, his genuine character and leadership qualities made him a natural leader among his people. His humility, leadership skills, and moral integrity all played a crucial role in his selection to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.